Back pack including front pouch

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed including a back pack, and first and second shoulder straps attached to the back pack. The apparatus may further include a front pack, and first and second elongated front pack straps. The first elongated front pack strap may have a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a first attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the back pack at a first location nearer the first shoulder strap than the second shoulder strap. The second elongated front pack strap may have a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a second attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the second shoulder strap of the back pack.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation in part of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/871,905, titled “BACK PACK INCLUDING FRONT POUCH”, filed on Oct. 12, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning back packs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various devices known in the prior art for providing back packs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a back pack, including first and second straps. The apparatus may also include a bag which is permanently attached to the back pack by a third strap and which can be temporarily attached to the back pack by a fourth strap.

The first strap of the back pack may have a first end which is attached near a top of a body portion of the back pack, nearer a first side of the back pack than a second side of the back pack, the second side of the back pack opposite the first side of the back pack. The second strap of the back pack may have a first end which is attached near the top of the body portion of the back pack and nearer the second side of the back pack than the first side of the back pack.

The third strap may have a first end which is permanently attached at the top of the body portion nearer the first side of the back pack than the second side of the back pack. The third strap may have a second end which is permanently attached to the bag.

The apparatus may be further comprised of an attachment device which is attached to the second strap. A first end of the fourth strap may be permanently attached to the bag. A second end of the fourth strap may be configured to be temporarily attached to the attachment device, to thereby temporarily attach the second end of the fourth strap to the second strap and to the body portion of the back pack.

The first strap may have a second end which is attached near a bottom of the body portion of the back pack, nearer the first side of the pack back than the second side of the back pack. The second strap may have a second end which is attached near a bottom of the body portion of the back pack, nearer the second side of the back pack than the first side of the back pack.

The bag may have an opening leading to a chamber in which items can be inserted. The chamber may include an interior pocket for storing an item.

The apparatus may further include a fifth strap, and a sixth strap. A first end of the fifth strap may be attached to the bottom of the bag nearer a first side of the bag than a second side of the bag, the first side of the bag opposite from the second side of the bag. A first end of the sixth strap may be attached to the bottom of the bag nearer the second side of the bag than the first side of the bag.

The apparatus may further include a first attachment device and a second attachment device. The first attachment device may be attached to a bottom of the body portion of the back pack nearer a first side of the back pack than a second side of the back pack. The second attachment device may be attached to the bottom of the body portion of the back pack nearer the second side of the back pack than the first side of the back pack.

A second end of the fifth strap may be configured to be temporarily attached to the first attachment device. A second end of the sixth strap may be configured to be temporarily attached to the second attachment device.

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a method comprising attaching a bag to a back pack.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a back pack, and first and second shoulder straps attached to the back pack, such that the first and second shoulder straps are spaced apart so that a person can wear the back pack by placing the first shoulder strap over a first shoulder and the second shoulder strap over a second shoulder of the person. The apparatus may further include a front pack, and first and second elongated front pack straps. The first elongated front pack strap may have a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a first attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the back pack at a first location nearer the first shoulder strap than the second shoulder strap. The second elongated front pack strap may have a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a second attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the second shoulder strap of the back pack. The first attachment device can be attached to the back pack at the first location while the second attachment device is attached to the second shoulder strap.

Each of the first and second elongated front back straps may have a portion which is adjustable in length. The apparatus may further include a first ring attached at the first location of the back pack. The first attachment device may be configured to be attached to or detached from the first ring. The apparatus may further include second and third rings attached to the second shoulder strap. The second ring and the third ring may be spaced apart vertically on the second shoulder strap, such that the second ring is nearer a top end of the second shoulder strap than the third ring and the third ring is nearer a middle of the second shoulder strap than the second ring. The front pack may have a body portion, having an inner chamber. The front pack may have a covering flap which can be used to substantially cover the body portion. The covering flap may be attached to the body portion by hooks and loops.

The first elongated front pack strap may have a hooks and loops portion attached to it, and the first shoulder strap of the back pack has a hooks and loops portion attached to it. The hooks and loops portion of the first elongated front pack strap may be configured to be attached to the hooks and loops portion of the first shoulder strap of the back pack.

In another embodiment, a method is provided comprising placing a first shoulder strap of a back pack over a person's first shoulder, placing a second shoulder strap of the back pack over the person's second shoulder, and attaching a front pack to the back pack. The front pack and the back pack may be configured and may be attached as previously specified in other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a back pack in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a back pack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the back pack in a first state;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a back pack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the back pack in a second state;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of an attachment device for attaching one strap to another in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-B show perspective views of two states of a pouch or bag for attachment and use with a back pack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a back pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a back pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a front pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use with the back pack of FIG. 7, with the front pack shown in a first state;

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a front pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use with the back pack of FIG. 7, with the front pack shown in a second state;

FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of the front pack of FIG. 8, in the first state, attached to the back pack of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the front pack of FIG. 8, in the first state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a back pack 1 in accordance with the prior art. The back pack 1 includes a body portion 10, a left strap 12, and a right strap 14. The left strap 12 has an end 12 a which is attached at a top 10 a of the body portion 10, and an end 12 b which is attached at a bottom 10 b of the body portion. Similarly, the right strap 14 has an end 14 a which is attached at the top 10 a of the body portion 10, and an end 14 b which is attached at the bottom 10 b of the body portion 10.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a back pack 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the back pack 100 in a first state. The back pack 100 includes a body portion 101, a left strap 102, and a right strap 104 which are similar to body portion 10, strap 12, and strap 14, respectively, shown in FIG. 1. The straps 102 and 104 may be attached to the body portion 101 similar or in the same manner that the straps 12 and 14 are attached to the body portion 10 shown in FIG. 1. The body portion 101 includes a top 101 a and a bottom 101 b.

The back pack 100 also includes a left strap 112, an adjustable left strap 122, and an adjustment device 122 a. The back pack 100 further includes a right strap 114, a ring 116, an attachment device 118, a ring 120, an adjustable strap 124, and an adjustment device 124 a. The adjustable strap 124 is fixed to a top 106 a of a pouch or bag 106. The adjustable strap 122 is also fixed to the top 106 a of the pouch or bag 106, but at an end typically opposite from adjustable strap 124. The pouch or bag 106 may have a pocket. The back pack 100 also includes a covering 108 having a bottom surface 108 a.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the back pack 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the back pack 100 in a second state. In the second state, the covering 108 is flipped over so that it covers the right strap 114, the ring 116, the attachment device 118, and the ring 120. A rear surface 108 b of the covering 108 can now be seen in the view of FIG. 3. The rear surface 108 b and a portion of the strap 114 may include matching pieces of Velcro (trademarked) which allow the covering 108 to remain in the state of FIG. 3 attached to the strap 114.

FIGS. 4A-4B show front views of the strap 114, ring 116, and the attachment device 118 for attaching the strap 114 to the strap 124 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 4A-B show the attachment device 118 in first and second states, respectively. In the first state shown in FIG. 4A, the attachment device is shown closed and in the second state of FIG. 4B, the attachment device 118 is shown open. The attachment device 118 includes a swivel attachment 118 a which allows the attachment device 118 to swivel, pivot, or rotate with respect to the ring 116. The attachment device 118 also a ring portion 118 b, a ring portion 118 c, a lever 118 d, and a pivot pin 118 e. The attachment device can be changed from the first, closed state, to the second, opened state by pushing the lever in a counterclockwise direction, C1, until the ring portion 118 b separates from the ring portion 118 c as shown in FIG. 4B. The attachment device 118 may be spring loaded or biased, so that letting go of the lever 118 d causes the lever 118 d to rotate clockwise in the direction, C2, back to the state or position of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A-B show perspective views of two states of a pouch or bag 206 for attachment and use with or as part of a back pack, such as back pack 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pouch or bag 206 includes a cover or flap 252, which can cover an opening 250. The opening 250 leads to an inner chamber 251 which is surrounded by walls 256 and 258. An inner pocket 254, which is against the wall 258 and inside of the inner chamber 251, is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 5A. The pouch or bag 206 has a bottom 206 b and a top 206 a. The cover or flap 252 is attached along the top 206 a. Straps 222 and 224 which may be similar or identical to straps 122 and 124, are shown by dashed lines in FIGS. 5A-B. The straps 222 and 224 may be attached along the top 206 a and may thereby attach pouch or bag 206 to a back pack, such as 100, or thereby incorporate pouch or bag 206 with a back pack, such as 100.

In FIG. 5A, the pouch or bag 206 is shown in a first state in which the cover or flap 252 is not covering the opening 250 and thus items can be placed through the opening 250 into the inner chamber 251, where the items can be held inside the inner chamber 251. The items can be placed in and held inside the pocket 254 inside the inner chamber 251. In FIG. 5B, the pouch or bag 206 is shown in a second state in which the cover or flap 252 has been closed over the opening 250 and thereby substantially closes the inner chamber 251 so that it is difficult for items located in the inner chamber 251 to fall out of the inner chamber 251. In FIG. 5A the inner surface 252 a of the cover or flap 252 can be seen. In FIG. 5B, the outer surface 252 b of the cover or flap 252 can be seen. The pouch or bag 206 could be designed with curved corners and with zippers, so that flap or covering 252 can be zipped and thereby attached to wall 258 of the pouch or bag 206 to close the opening 250.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a back pack 300 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The back pack 300 may be similar or identical to the back pack 100 of FIG. 2, or may have some additional features or differences as will be described.

The back pack 300 includes a body portion 301, a left strap 302, and a right strap 304 which are similar to body portion 10, strap 12, and strap 14, respectively, shown in FIG. 1. The straps 302 and 304 may be attached to the body portion 301 similar or in the same manner that the straps 12 and 14 are attached to the body portion 10 shown in FIG. 1. The body portion 301 includes a top 301 a and a bottom 301 b.

The back pack 300 also includes a left strap 312, an adjustable left strap 322, and an adjustment device 322 a. The back pack 300 further includes a ring 320, an adjustable strap 324, and an adjustment device 324 a. The adjustable strap 324 is fixed to a top 306 a of a pouch or bag 306. The pouch or bag 306 may be similar to or identical to the pouch or bag 206 shown in FIGS. 5A-B, or may have additional features or differences as will be described. The adjustable strap 322 is also fixed to the top 306 a of the pouch or bag 306, but at an end typically opposite from adjustable strap 324. The pouch or bag 306 may have a pocket, or inner chamber through opening 350, similar to pouch or bag 206 shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. The back pack 300 also includes a covering 308 having a bottom surface 308 a.

The back pack 300 may have an opening 374 at the top 301 a which leads to a main inner chamber inside the back pack 300. The left strap 312 may be permanently affixed at a location near the opening 374 at the top 301 a of the back pack 300. An individual, such as a child, can hide the pouch or bag 306, such as by placing it through opening 374 into the main inner chamber of the back pack 300, when the pouch or bag 306 is not needed. This will help the individual, such as a child, to not misplace or lose the pouch or bag 306 and give the individual the option to use the pouch or bag 306 when needed. The pouch or bag 306 could also have small pockets inside its inner chamber similar to pocket 254 to put small school items in (e.g. identification cards, or calculators, pencils, pens or credit cards, or cellular phones, or i-pods). The strap 312 can be changed to different widths or sizes for different size children and/or for different purposes.

The pouch or bag 306, shown in FIG. 6, may include straps 370 and 372 which are attached at opposite ends near the bottom 306 b of the pouch or bag 306. The straps 370 and 372 may be attached to the straps or attachment devices 380 and 382, respectively, near the bottom of the body portion 301 of the back pack 300, in order to further secure the pouch or bag 306 to the back pack 300. The straps 370 and 372 and the corresponding straps or attachment devices 380 and 382 may include hooks and matching loops of Velcro (trademarked) or some other attachment device.

There may be a zipper portion 374 a and a zipper portion 374 b which can be connected together to close the opening 374 after the pouch or bag 306 is put inside of the opening 374.

The attachment devices 380 and 382 may include clips. The straps 370 and 372 may be configured to be able to be hidden such as by folding back onto a back surface of pouch or bag 306, if an individual did not want to use the straps 370 and 372.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a back pack 400 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The back pack 400 includes shoulder straps 402 and 422, which are attached to body portion 450. The body portion 450 includes top 451 sides 452 and 456, back 454, front 453, and bottom 455. The body portion 450 has an inner chamber, not shown, which can be accessed by pulling zipper 460 up side 452 (towards top 451) and then across top 451 (towards side 456) to open zipper teeth 458.

The shoulder straps 402 and 422 have first ends which are attached near the top of the back 454 of the body portion 450. The shoulder straps 402 and 422 have second ends, which oppose the first ends, which are attached to straps 414 and 434, respectively. The straps 414 and 434 are attached to clips 416 and 436, respectively. The clips 416 and 436 are attached to straps 418 and 438, respectively. The straps 418 and 438 are attached to the vertices of triangular protrusions 420 and 440, which are located furthest from sides 456 and 452, respectively. The triangular protrusion 420 is attached near the bottom of the back 454, at the junction of back 454 and side 456. The protrusion 440 is attached near the bottom of back 454, at the junction of back 454 and side 452.

The straps 418 and 438, instead of being attached to protrusions 420 and 440, respectively, may be attached directly to the back 454 near the bottom 455. For example the strap 418 may be attached to the back 454 at the junction of back 454 and side 456, near the bottom 455, while the strap 438 may be attached to the back 454 at the junction of back 454 and side 452, near the bottom 455. In that case, the protrusions 420 and 430 may be eliminated.

The shoulder strap 402 has bands 404, 408, and 412, which are attached at their ends to sides 402 a and 402 b of the shoulder strap 402, so that the portions of the bands 404, 408 and 412 between the sides 402 a and 402 b can be flexed outwards while the bands 404, 408, and 412 are fixed at sides 402 a and 402 b. The shoulder strap 402 also has Velcro (trademarked) or hooks and loops, strips 406 and 410 fixed thereon. The hooks and loops strips 406 and 410 can be connected to a mating Velcro (trademarked) or hooks and loop sections 570 a and 570 b, respectively, of a front back 500 shown in FIG. 11.

A D-ring 466 is attached to a strip of material 468 which is attached at the junction of back 454 and top 451 of the back pack 400. The D-ring 466 can be used to attach clip or attachment device 502 to D-ring 466, as shown in FIG. 10, to secure the front pack 500 to the back pack 400.

In another embodiment the D-ring 466 can be attached through strip of material 468 directly to the strap 402, near the top of the strap 402 where it connects to back 454 of the back pack 400. The back pack 400 includes a loop 464 of material which is connected at its ends to the back 454 of the back pack 400. The loop 464 can be used to carry the back pack 400. The back pack 454 includes a strip of material 462 which helps to hold the shoulder straps 402 and 422 near the junction of back 454 and top 451 of the back pack 400.

In an alternative embodiment, the straps 402 and 422 can be attached directly to the top 451.

The shoulder strap 422 includes D-rings 428 and 432 which are connected by strips of material 426 and 431 respectively to shoulder strap 422. Strips of material 424 and 430 help to hold the D-rings 428 and 432 in place.

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of a front pack 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use with the back pack 400 of FIG. 7, with the front pack 500 shown in a first state. In the first state a covering layer 532 lies over a body portion 540 of the front pack 500.

The front pack 500 includes attachment devices or clips 502 and 522 which are attached to straps 504 and 524. Straps 504 and 524 pass through clips 506 and 526 and through square rings 508 and 528, respectively. The square rings 508 and 528 are attached to strips of material 510 and 530, Strip of material 510 is attached to strap 512, which has an elongated portion 512 a and a body portion 512 b. Strip of material 530 is attached to body portion 540 of the front pack 500. The strap 512 has one end which is attached to body portion 540.

The attachment device or clip 502 includes U-shaped portion 502 b, base 502 a, slot 502 c, pivotal U-shaped post 502 d, and pivotal base 502 e. The pivotal post 502 d is pivotally attached at one end to base 502 a. This allows the pivotal post 502 d to be pivoted so that the clip 502 can be attached to a first ring by inserting the first ring into the opening 503 of the attachment device or clip 502.

Similarly, the attachment device or clip 522 includes U-shaped portion 522 b, base 522 a, slot 522 c, pivotal U-shaped post 522 d, and pivotal base 522 e. The pivotal post 522 d is pivotally attached at one end to base 522 a. This allows the pivotal post 522 d to be pivoted so that the clip 522 can be attached to a second ring by inserting the second ring into the opening 523 of the attachment device or clip 522.

The attachment devices or clips 502 and 522 can pivot or swivel about bases 502 e and 522 e. The bases 502 e and 522 e are connected to rings 502 f and 522 f.

The covering layer 532 has a front 532 a shown in FIG. 8 and a rear 532 b shown in FIG. 9. A band or elastic strap 534 is attached at ends 534 a and 534 b, but is otherwise unattached to the front 532 a of the covering layer 532.

The body portion 540 has an inner chamber, not shown, which can be accessed by pulling a zipper 538 upwards towards the strip of material 530, and then across a top 540 a of the body portion 540 towards a side 540 e, to open teeth 536, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a front pack 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention for use with the back pack 400 of FIG. 7, with the front pack shown 500 in a second state. In the second state, the covering layer 532 has been pulled upwards to reveal back 532 b. A strip of Velcro (trademarked) or hooks and loops 534 is attached to the back 532 b so that when the covering layer 532 is put into the first state of FIG. 8, the strip of hooks and loops 534 can made with a Velcro (trademarked) hooks and loops section 550 on the body portion 540 of the front pack 500.

The body portion 540, as shown in FIG. 9, includes a top 540 a, sides 540 b and 540 e, a bottom 540 c, a front 540 d and a rear 540 e. FIG. 9 also shows a zipper 554 which can be pulled towards side 540 e to open zipper teeth 552 to reveal a pocket in the front pack 500.

FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of the front pack 500 of FIG. 8, in the first state, attached to the back pack 400 of FIG. 7. In FIG. 10, the attachment devices or clips 502 and 522 are attached to the D-rings 466 and 428, respectively. The pins or posts 502 d and 522 d have been pivoted into a locked state wherein the ends of U-shaped posts 502 d and 522 d furthest from base 502 a and 522 a, are inserted into slots 502 c and 522 c, respectively.

FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the front pack 500 of FIG. 8, in the first state. As shown by FIG. 11, the front pack 500 includes strips 570 a and 570 b of Velcro (trademarked) or hooks and loops on strap portion 512 a of strap 512.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a back pack; first and second shoulder straps attached to the back pack, such that the first and second shoulder straps are spaced apart so that a person can wear the back pack by placing the first shoulder strap over a first shoulder and the second shoulder strap over a second shoulder of the person; a front pack; first and second elongated front pack straps; wherein the first elongated front pack strap has a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a first attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the back pack at a first location nearer the first shoulder strap than the second shoulder strap; wherein the second elongated front pack strap has a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a second attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the second shoulder strap of the back pack; and wherein the first attachment device can be attached to the back pack at the first location while the second attachment device is attached to the second shoulder strap.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first elongated front back strap has a portion which is adjustable in length; and the second elongated front back strap has a portion which is adjustable in length.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first ring attached at the first location of the back pack; and wherein the first attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the first ring.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first ring attached to the second shoulder strap; and wherein the second attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the first ring.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a second ring attached to the second shoulder strap; wherein the second attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the second ring; and wherein the first ring and the second ring are spaced apart vertically on the second shoulder strap, such that the first ring is nearer a top end of the second shoulder strap than the second ring and the second ring is nearer a middle of the second shoulder strap than the second ring.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the front pack has a body portion, having an inner chamber and the front pack has a covering flap which can be used to substantially cover the body portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the covering flap is attached to the body portion by hooks and loops.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first elongated front pack strap has a hooks and loops portion attached to it; wherein the first shoulder strap of the back pack has a hooks and loops portion attached to it; and wherein the hooks and loops portion of the first elongated front pack strap is configured to be attached to the hooks and loops portion of the first shoulder strap of the back pack.
 9. A method comprising: placing a first shoulder strap of a back pack over a person's first shoulder; placing a second shoulder strap of the back pack over the person's second shoulder; and attaching a front pack to the back pack; wherein the back pack includes first and second shoulder straps attached to the back pack, such that the first and second shoulder straps are spaced apart so that the person can wear the back pack by placing the first shoulder strap over the first shoulder of the person and the second shoulder strap over the second shoulder of the person; wherein the front pack includes first and second elongated front pack straps; wherein the first elongated front pack strap has a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a first attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the back pack at a first location nearer the first shoulder strap than the second shoulder strap; wherein the second elongated front pack strap has a first end which is attached to the front back and a second end which has a second attachment device configured to be attached to or detached from the second shoulder strap of the back pack; and wherein the first attachment device can be attached to the back pack at the first location while the second attachment device is attached to the second shoulder strap.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first elongated front back strap has a portion which is adjustable in length; and the second elongated front back strap has a portion which is adjustable in length.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein a first ring is attached at the first location of the back pack; and wherein the first attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the first ring.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein a first ring is attached to the second shoulder strap; and wherein the second attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the first ring.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein a second ring is attached to the second shoulder strap; wherein the second attachment device is configured to be attached to or detached from the second ring; and wherein the first ring and the second ring are spaced apart vertically on the second shoulder strap, such that the first ring is nearer a top end of the second shoulder strap than the second ring and the second ring is nearer a middle of the second shoulder strap than the second ring.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the front pack has a body portion, having an inner chamber and the front pack has a covering flap which can be used to substantially cover the body portion.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the covering flap is attached to the body portion by hooks and loops.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the first elongated front pack strap has a hooks and loops portion attached to it; wherein the first shoulder strap of the back pack has a hooks and loops portion attached to it; and wherein the hooks and loops portion of the first elongated front pack strap is configured to be attached to the hooks and loops portion of the first shoulder strap of the back pack. 